Just Getting Started?
Community Adult Learning Programs support learner-centred instruction. This may feel a bit different from how you learned to write in school. Here are some tips for guiding writers to take control of their own learning and writing:
Keep the focus on the writer
Ask what the writer thinks about their own writing first before providing any comments or constructive feedback.
Focus on expression over convention
Focus on what the writer is trying to say versus focusing on the details, like grammar or spelling, first.
Not all writing needs feedback or revision suggestions
Let the writer decide what they want to revise or whether they would like any constructive feedback.
Starting with a few comments of sincere appreciation in response to a learner’s writing is a great practice. There will be times when you won’t need any further feedback than that!
Learner Writing Samples
Want to see some examples of adult learner writing before you get started?
Try these resources:
- SARAW – Book of Stories: Speech-assisted reading and writing collection from adult learners (Bow Valley College, 2016)
View PDF - Writing Out Loud (Morgan, 2002)
View resource
There are many examples of adult writing scattered throughout this document. The best examples begin on p. 29. - More Writing Out Loud (Morgan, 2002)
View resource
There are many examples of adult writing scattered throughout this document. The best examples begin on p. 45. - Stories and Learning Activities for English 110 and 120 (NWT Literacy Council, 2006)
View PDF - Line by Line: Sharing Ourselves and Our Stories (Toronto Public Library, n.d.)
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“Writing grows out of culture. Learners from every group bring particular styles of storytelling and humour. Every group has rules about what things can be mentioned in polite company and what things are better not spoken of, much less written down. Practitioners must be prepared to welcome these many voices, to make space for them to shine.”
– Kate Nonesuch, The Never Fail Writing Method.